The San Francisco 49ers re-signed Brandon Aiyuk to a four-year, $120 million contract extension with $76 million guaranteed in August of 2024. The last game he played in was in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs of the 2024 season, where he tore his ACL, MCL, and meniscus. Aiyuk ultimately sat out the 2025 season as the 49ers placed him on the left squad list in December.
To make matters worse, the front office voided his 2026 guarantees and $24.9 million option bonus last July after failing to attend team-supervised rehab sessions and mandatory team meetings, with a divorce on the horizon.
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It has been over two months since the 49ers’ season ended, and Aiyuk remains a member of the team. One possible reason he hasn’t been moved yet is his contract, which will become expendable in the coming months.
San Francisco 49ers’ head coach shared his thoughts on the pending divorce
Sep 29, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) warms up before the game against the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
Sep 29, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) warms up before the game against the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
During the NFL Annual League Meeting, Kyle Shanahan was asked about Brandon Aiyuk’s status, as reported by Cam Inman. The head coach said the 49ers are not in a rush, noting the situation will resolve itself without offering a specific timeline. Shanahan also added that the team is trying to trade Aiyuk, hoping to receive draft compensation rather than cutting him outright.
49ers’ Kyle Shanahan on Brandon Aiyuk’s status and when is his exit:
“Don’t have date. Eventually will resolve itself. Hopefully we can get something for it. We’re in no rush. We have to do what’s right for the 49ers.”
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) March 30, 2026
The 49ers are likely waiting until after June 1 to trade or release him, which would allow the $29 million in dead cap to be split into the 2027 offseason. With a post-June 1st designation or trade after June 1, the front office frees $6.3 million in cap space while taking on $8.3 million dead cap in 2026 and $21.2 million in 2027, per*Over The Cap.*
Here’s what a trading team would inherit
Oct 20, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) walks on the field before the start of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Oct 20, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) walks on the field before the start of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
A trading team would inherit Brandon Aiyuk’s base salary, per-game active, and workout bonuses, essentially a non-guaranteed three-year, $60.189 million contract. He has three per-game active bonuses totaling $750,000 and three $100,000 workout bonuses. Aiyuk is scheduled to earn a $1.215 million base salary and a $2.065 million cap hit in 2026, a $27.274 million base salary and a $28.124 million cap hit in 2028, and a $29.15 million base salary and a $30 million cap hit in 2028.
Because Aiyuk is coming off a catastrophic injury with rumors of chronic knee instability/osteoarthritis, he will likely be released rather than being traded.
What if I told you I found out what happened between the 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk.
What if I told you the reason for the 49ers and BA downfall really did have to do with him missing his rehab for his torn ACL/MCL/meniscus?
What if I told you he never followed the rehab protocol…
— Lobs (@Lobs_All_Day) March 3, 2026